5 crazy things you missed: Why Robben should be back for the Rio Games

Often some of the funniest, most interesting and quirky moments at huge sports events go almost unnoticed, rarely featured in reports or blog posts.

So here are five ridiculous things you may not have already seen or heard about from the last few days in Brazil with the World Cup now in full swing.

Did you see anything particularly noteworthy that passed off without mention? Feel free to bring it to our attention in the comments section below...

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1. Arjen Robben's stunning 100m time

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Arjen Robben's speed

Dutch national newspaper De Telegraaf is still picking over their national team's stunning victory over world champions Spain on Friday night, and they've come up with a stunning titbit.

They employed a few boffins to calculate just how fast Arjen Robben ran to leave Sergio Ramos for dead in scoring his second goal of the night. The answer? 23mph, or 37kph.

On its own, that may not sound particularly amazing. But here's the rub: that foot speed equates to a 100m time of 10.28. That's just four hundredths of a second off the Olympic qualifying standard - and considering that he was running on grass, and in football boots, that is a quite phenomenal turn of speed.

In other words, all the evidence suggests that Robben ought to be back in Brazil in two years' time - not to play football, but to sprint for Holland at the Rio 2016 Olympics!

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2. Hot favourite in race to win Golden Boot? Own goal

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In a World Cup packed with thrilling high-scoring matches, own goals are playing a prominent role as the drama unfolds in Brazil.

Indeed, after just 11 matches, own goals sit proudly at the top of the list of leading scorers in Brazil with a total of three. This is an unlikely achievement, given there have only been a total of 39 scored in 19 World Cups.

In the tournament's opening match last Thursday, Brazil defender Marcelo diverted the ball into his own net to give Croatia a shock lead and become the first Brazilian to score for the opposition in World Cup finals history.

Three days later the own goal was back, this time with a double shot of calamity.

In the second game on Sunday, a shot by French forward Karim Benzema cannoned off the post and looked to be heading to safety before Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares inadvertently clawed the ball over his own goalline.

Then, Sead Kolasinac of Bosnia later claimed the fastest own goal in the tournament's history when he stabbed the ball past his goalkeeper in the third minute of the Group F game against Argentina.

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3. Everyone loves Messi... apart from this cute mascot he snubbed

Being a mascot at such a prestigious match meant this little football fan would possibly have the opportunity to meet the world’s greatest player, Lionel Messi.

So imagine what must have being going through the mascot’s head when Messi strode toward him arm outstretched.

It would be every football fan's dream come true.

However, all was not as it seemed as Messi strode past the mascot to shake hands with the referee, completely oblivious to the heartbroken lad.

Of course there is no blame attributable to Messi in this situation - even at his rather limited 5'7", it's probably fairly easy to miss a seven-year-old - but you do have to feel for the little mascot.

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4. Japanese instantly established as world's politest and most welcome fans

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We've been to football matches. We know what happens at the end after your team has just conceded a goal to lose the game: you throw the remains of your burger/pie/pasty and coke/beer on the floor in disgust, and at the final whistle you march out while grumbling in a loud voice about the useless bunch of overpaid prima donnas you've just wasted your money watching.

But it seems that's not how fans of Japan roll. After watching the Blue Samurai blow a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to Ivory Coast at the weekend, they greeted the final whistle by donning overalls and gloves, and carefully cleaning up the areas around their seats before quietly leaving in an orderly and dignified fashion. Apparently it's not uncommon for fans to do this in Japan, but it's a breath of fresh air to see them taking their good manners on the road.

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5. The greatest World Cup advert ever?

Forget that secret-tournament-on-an-oil-tanker effort from a popular sportswear company in 2002. Our money's on this cracker from a popular hamburger vendor - if only for the sight of an old boy springing out of his mobility scooter into a handstand. Wonderful stuff.